C15 Engine out

[Britishbikenut]

Hello, I am new to the BSA C15 and have bought myself a 1960 C15 Trials bike, joined the club and look forward to getting this bike back on the trails!
First thing I want to do is get the head off and de-coke, so You Tube research, manuals etc, but what seems easy I am having trouble with!

I have hit a silly issue that I cannot seem to find the solution to! Getting the head off!
It seems that it can be done in frame, I have all the head nuts off, its loose but these is not enough room to lift the cylinder head off, the frame is preventing any head lift more than approx 20mm!!??

My first post to a forum as it seems that there is a lot of experience out there, so any help would be much appreciated.
What am I doing wrong or missing???

Thanks for any help.
Nick.

[TTJOHN]

I don't think you can do the job without removing he head, some of these you can but there are different frames and yours is a swan neck which does not give you room, unless you remove the studs as well.

TTJohn

[Britishbikenut]

Thanks for the reply TTJOHN,

On one side the studs are trapped by the head, so tricky to get them out, OK on the other side, but I think I need to get all 4 out! Unless there is a cunning way to get the trapped studs out. Many thanks for your help.
Nick.

[AdrianS]

Its not difficult to get the engine out of the frame even on your own. It is fairly heavy ( I think around 35 kilos ) but very doable single handed in about 20 minutes. Gives you the chance to have a better look at it, clean it up properly, and also check and clean the frame and the engine mounts.

[Britishbikenut]

Thanks Adrian,
Engine out of frame looks like the next move, but the amount of lift I need to get clear of the mounts may be an issue due to the frame top possibly getting in the way... But I will give it a go. And yes if I can get it out then I will give all a good clean up
Thanks and will come back with an update.
Nick.

[AdrianS]

There is a knack in getting the engines out. They don't just lift out but have to be lifted, twisted, taken out usually from one particular side of the bike. Cant remember which side when I last took my B40 engine out but I am sure someone will come to your rescue! If not, hopefully Google is your friend!

[B Murphy]

Very different to mine, I had loads of room when I built it up in the frame.

[Bees]

Is that a standard frame? Seems really tight at the top?

You could take the rocker cover studs out to then maybe get the rocker cover out of the way. May give you more room. But seems a faff.

[AdrianS]

It went in - so it will come out!

[Britishbikenut]

Thanks to all,
I will be taking the engine out and will let you know how I get on!
Can't get to until this weekend but will update on the wrestling match with the engine in a confined space!

As Adrian says - it went in so it will come out!

Thanks again for your help.
Nick.

[DerekAnderson8]

another option for removal is lying the bike on its side and maneuvering the engine out that way.

Try and get the oil out first if possible.

[Britishbikenut]

Looks like bike on its side is the way forward, oil is out!
Will post pictures of the oncoming fight..

Thanks to Derek and all.
Never surrender.
Nick